Inhabiting Their Perspective

We remind ourselves in this family that most conflict comes from a misunderstanding of, or a lack of willingness to, inhabit another's point of view. We're learning--on this micro level--about diplomacy.

What does it mean to negotiate? What do we do when negotiation cannot (and perhaps should not) happen because compromise violates a deeply held conviction or moral stance? What then?

With one daughter starting Student Council and another who simply loves to argue, we're entering more deeply into conflict-resolution and decision-making when folks don't always agree. As an instructor in a classroom divided over various national and international concerns, I jump inside a student's cultural context to see what kind of soil grew that particular viewpoint.

"Oh, yes! I see what you mean and why you feel this way! I understand!"

This is the work of living together. This work doesn't end; it's our most important work as citizens.

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